Guyana Times - Wednesday May 25, 2022

GFS gets over $176M in new P22 equipment to boost firefighting

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 5019

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2022

PRICE

Local auditors, int’l firm ink US$700,000 cost recovery audit contract for Stabroek Block

$100 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Gunman kills 18 children, 3 adults in Texas elementary school, P20 officials say

See story on page 3

…training for local auditors, capacity building part of package

Non-tariff barriers, other matters raised as Pres Ali holds talks – President’s advocacy during Agriwith CPSO Investment Forum & Expo praised Page 7

Taxi driver acquitted of school teacher Kescia Branche's P8 murder

Regions 9 & 10 flooding

20 families relocated to shelters, several others evacuated to higher ground See stories on pages 12 & 13

– residents of Kwakwani battling 2nd wave of flooding in 2 months

Beware of P21 marijuana snacks in "copycats" of popular products – GAFDD cautions consumers

Fire at CID Headquarters was electrical – GFS P9 The water level continues to rise on Lamp Island

A view of the flooding in Region Nine which has left limited access to Central Lethem (Xstream graphics photo)

2000 Region 2 residents Govt to sign contract today get part-time jobs to construct new DHB Page 9

Page 7

6-month-old baby dies P20 from COVID – 45 new cases recorded

2

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

3

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, May 25 – 01:00h – 02:30h and Thursday, May 26 – 01:30h – 03:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, May 25 – 13:05h – 14:35h and Thursday, May 26 – 14:00h – 15:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily

WEATHER TODAY There will be thundery showers and light rain showers during the day. Expect light rain showers at night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North North-Easterly to Easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 13:12h reaching a maximum height of 2.3 metres.

Low Tide: 06:45h and 19:08h reaching minimum heights of 0.94 metre and 0.88 metre.

SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2022

LOTTERY NUMBERS B

01 08 11

16 20 28

FREE TICKET

22 Bonus Ball

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2022

DAILY MILLIONS

02 03 13 20 25 LUCKY 3

3

0

4

4

Afternoon Draw

0

9

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

05 06 10 14 15 17 20 SUPER

PAY DAY

PAY DAY

FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022

01 05 09 16 17 13

03 05 07 08 10

9

3 Afternoon Draw

2X Afternoon Draw

3

9 Evening Draw

FP Evening Draw

DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$113.56/barrel

+0.12

Rough Rice

$308.07/ton

-0.26

London Sugar

$557.40/ton

0.00

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1867.50

$1868.50

Low/High Change

$1850.20 +1.10

$1870.80 +0.06%

Local auditors, int’l firm ink US$700,000 cost recovery audit contract for Stabroek Block …training for local auditors, capacity building part of package

A

contract has been signed between a consortium of local auditors and an international company, with the Government of Guyana, to undertake a US$751,000 contract to audit US$9 billion in cost oil from ExxonMobil’s operations in the Stabroek Block.

The cost recovery audit contract, which covers profit oil from the years 2018, 2019 and 2020, was signed in a room full of stakeholders and suppliers on Tuesday, during a workshop on local content.

The local auditors Ramdihal and Haynes Chartered Accounting, as well as Vitality Accounting, were present at the signing. Chateram Ramdihal was physically present at the event, while Finance Professor Floyd Haynes tuned in virtually.

According to Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat, these local companies will also be partnering with an international consultant, Martindale Consultants. The duration of the contract is for four months.

“Let us move to the signing of the cost recovery audit and validation of the Government of Guyana’s profit oil share. We have the three local businesses here. Unfortunately, Mr Floyd Haynes is overseas,” Bharrat said.

“But he’s represented

by Mr Ramdihal. We have also Vitality. Azar is here too. So, we have the three local companies being represented here today. They would have partnered with an international company, Martindale Consultants.

So that they can gain that experience and knowledge to do oil and gas audits.”

Bharrat explained that part of the contract entails the international company training the local auditors and accountants. This, he said, is to build capacity locally.

According to Minister Bharrat, they were able to negotiate with the company and bring down the cost by almost half, from the over US$1 million initially quoted.

“Initially, we had, I think was over a million dollars they asked for, but because we would have negotiated with the consortium, and they would have also consulted with their international partners, we managed to bring it down to, I think it's US$751,000,” he said.

During a press conference in February, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo announced that a local consortium of auditors had

Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat (second left) following the signing of the cost recovery audit contract with company and Government officials

been identified to partner with whichever company wins the reissued tender for the audit of Exxon’s expenses post-2017.

The Vice President also assured that for those concerned about the elapsed timeframe for the audit of Exxon’s cost oil claims, there is nothing to worry about since the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) would have to be reviewed if Exxon were to decide not to comply with the audit.

According to Annex C of the PSA Guyana signed with Exxon, pre-contract

costs “shall include four hundred and sixty million, two hundred and thirty-seven hundred thousand and nine hundred and eighteen United States Dollars (US$460,237,918) in respect of all such costs incurred under the 1999 Petroleum Agreement prior to the year ended 2015”.

There is an additional sum of approximately US$400 million from 2016 to 2017, which it is believed will also come under the rubric of cost oil. Meanwhile, the post-2017 sum is believed to be over US$9 bil-

lion, inclusive of sanctioning expenses for the Liza Phase One and Two projects.

When the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government assumed office in 2020, it took over the shepherding of audits for ExxonMobil’s pre-contract and other pre2017 costs. The pre-contract cost audit was conducted by the UK firm, IHS Markit, which was hired by the previous Administration four years after oil was first discovered offshore.

4

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2022

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

The unprecedentedly rising cost of living

T

he rising cost of living that we are experiencing is driven by global supply chain disruptions, owing to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; and, more recently, this situation is now being further compounded by war between Russia and Ukraine.

The impact of the war is largely because Russia is a major global exporter of several commodities, such as wheat, crude petroleum, refined petroleum and petroleum gas. These events have ultimately led to further increases in shipping costs globally, and supply shortages of a number of traded commodities. To this end, a number of countries, including the U.S, U.K and European countries, imposed a series of economic sanctions on Russia. As a result, Russia now cannot export its major commodities to the rest of the world, except for a few countries. This has naturally created a global supply shortage of commodities such as wheat; and when there is a shortage of a commodity in growing demand, its price increases as a consequence.

This is now a new challenge in the 21st century that not only Guyana, but the rest of the world, would have to deal with, and they are going to feel the effects of these impacts – albeit, the gravity of the impact on each country might be felt at varying degrees.

Against this background, civil society groups have been suggesting to the Government that it should institute price restrictions. This, however, is really not an option, as it would be difficult, and unfair to so do to the firms that have to incur rising input costs and/or import costs for their products, and those firms would be unable to absorb such exorbitant price increases. Therefore, such costs would have to be passed on to the end consumer, unfortunately.

The Government of Guyana is very cognisant of this reality, hence has to examine a comprehensive menu of measures to cushion the impact of the rising costs. Already, His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has said there would be no increases in electricity costs and water rates. This means that the Government would continue to subsidise these essentials, so that the cost burdens are not passed on to the consumers.

Additionally, through budgets 2020, 2021 and 2022, a multiplicity of fiscal measures has been implemented; for example: the removal of VAT from electricity, water and basic food items. In budget 2022, there is also a provision of some $5 billion, among other measures, to aid in cushioning the cost-of-living increases; given that the underlying causation of the rising cost-of-living, explained earlier, is unprecedented, especially now with the Russia/ Ukraine war, the world economy is in an era of deeper uncertainty.

Following a series of public consultation at the community level and with other stakeholders, His Excellency the President recently announced a series of measures to help cushion the impact, financed by the G$5 billion that was set aside in budget 2022 for this purpose, to bring short-term relief.

The long-term solutions are, of course, to pursue aggressively the major transformational projects, such as the Amaila hydro and the gas-to-energy projects, which are designed to reduce the country’s high energy cost by more than 50%. These, among the many other long-term developmental programmes that are on the Government’s agenda for implementation, would be critical in this regard.

In view of these eventualities, and provided that we are able to, as a country, resolve our major challenges, which are inhibiting a competitive and more dynamic Private Sector, we would be able to better guard against and/or minimise the impacts of external shocks such as those that we are now grappling with, in the foreseeable future.

In the Potaro River, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), lies Amatuk Falls/Rapids (Sean Mendonca photo)

Maybe it is time for our Caribbean leaders to revisit the formation of the West Indian Federation

Dear Editor, The movement to form a Federation of Caribbean states started in the 1950s, and had a very short-lived existence (1958-1962), due to various factors and perceptions that existed in that particular turbulent period of our collective history.

Our present-day reality has gone through so many fundamental political and economic changes that the objective conditions may now be more conducive for our Caribbean leaders to have a fair chance of forming a successful West Indian Federation, which has eluded our past leaders.

The objective factors that presently exist are: 1) The ideological differences that existed in the 1950s due to the Cold War are no longer around. All the Caribbean states basically subscribe to a form of liberal democracy, and practise the holding of regular national elections, adhering to the rule of law and the separation of powers of the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary.

2) The fear of ethnic groups being subsumed in the collective Caribbean population no longer poses a threat, as was exemplified in the recent attempts by the PNC to rig the 2000 national elections. It was the

likes of Caribbean leaders like the Hon Mia Mottley, PM Rowley & Gonsalves, with a host of Caribbean observers from Jamaica, Trinidad, Barbados etc. that called out the riggers.

Race did not factor in their collective condemnation of the rigging, but the idea of fairness, justice and equality governed their thinking.

3) The recent pandemic with the inequities of acquiring vaccines has shown us in the Caribbean that we have to collectively look out for ourselves. The more we act as a unified body, the better would be our chances of a speedy economic recovery. Insularity and protectionism have no relevance

in our global reality.

4) Our present crop of Caribbean leaders, especially the big four of Madame Mia Mottley, President Ali, PM Keith Rowley and PM Andrew Holness, are dynamic individuals, and, for the past year or two, have demonstrated a propensity to act together on issues.

They are results-oriented leaders, and can be the springboard for the launching of the West Indian Federation.

I am quintessentially a Caribbean man, and it has always been a dream to see a unified Caribbean.

Dear Editor, The recent flooding is a stark reminder that we must revisit our priorities, and ensure they remain at the top of the to-do list. Reduction of food costs, new roads, and other items being discussed as a high priority would never be sustainably achieved if flooding continues to displace citizens, shut down the economy, and expose our cit-

izens to the health hazards that dirty water brings.

Such a record-breaking budget in quantity, yet the quality of living of our citizens is thrown aside quite quickly when the rains and high tides cause flooding.

It is time we restructure the budget to ensure that the mitigation of flooding is funded appropriately and acted upon quickly by the

Ministry responsible for infrastructure.

It is nice to have a new road to alleviate traffic, but it is a must to have good sea defences and drainage infrastructure to prevent flooding. After all, the roads will be useless when flooded, unless we use the fishing boats as transportation.

His Excellency Dr Jagan, who is our founding lead-

er, was clear when he said, “We cannot have a Cadillacstyle living with donkey cart economies”. The constant flooding has made it obvious to all that the donkey cart economy is still in place.

It is time to be practical with a strong dose of reality.

Yours sincerely, Reggie Bhagwandin

Flooding and our priorities

With concern, Jamil Changlee

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2022

5

News

Newly-rehabilitated $82M Fort Island Stelling will provide new opportunities – Min Edghill well as the main carriageway area, coupled with a number of other major repairs that had to be conducted on the stelling.

For the first time, the stelling will be benefiting from solar-powered technology.

According to officials from the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD), the Stelling will also be reintroduced to stops by the Bartica ferry which was discontinued in the past due to the Stelling’s previous condition.

Wismar Massacre: May 25-26

By Guyanese of Indian Ancestry Association

O

n May 25-26 1964, an event that has served to define the precariousness of Indian existence in Guyana was unleashed: the Wismar Massacre. The murder of an elderly couple, the Sealeys, aback of Buxton on the East Coast of Demerara on May 21, in the midst of wider ethnic violence on the Coastland, was the occasion, but not the cause of the genocidal actions.

On Wednesday, May 20, before the Sealeys’ murders, the home of Pandit Ramlackhan had already been bombed. A strike was called at Demba on Thursday, May 21, and on Friday, May 22nd, Daniel Persaud’s house was set on fire, and there was an explosion at Ibrahim Khan’s home, wherein three people were injured. The defining conflagration occurred between May 2526, when 220 Indian homes were razed, two Indians murdered, several women and girls raped, the entire Indian population of 3000 had to be evacuated to Georgetown.

The descriptions below are from the Report of the CoI into the Massacre. ”We have come to the conclusion that the disturbances which took place in the Wismar-Christianburg-Mackenzie area (now Linden) on May 25th, 1964 were politically and racially inspired…and the fact that the security forces were in no case able to apprehend arsonists forces us to conclude that the destruction was not ‘spontaneous’, but was organised, and well organised.”

“Between 7 and 8 o’clock on the morning of May 25th, the situation deteriorated rapidly. There was widespread violence, arson and looting. The stage was set for a day of unmitigated tragedy. At about 8.00am, it was rumoured that an East Indian man had kicked an African boy. The Police subsequently investigated this, but found it to be untrue. If any were needed, this was the casus belli….

“The majority of the Africans laughed and jeered at the East Indians as, blood stained and battered, raped and naked, shocked and destitute, they helplessly went their way to the only place of refuge, the Wismar Police Station. African women played their part in these events to the fullest extent.”

“Your Commissioners are convinced that ‘this was a diabolical plot, ingeniously planned and ruthlessly executed.’

DID YOU KNOW? •

•

Six weeks after the Wismar Massacre, on the 6th July, 1964, a launch named “Sun Chapman”, taking goods and passengers from Georgetown to Wismar, was blown up. Forty-three persons, all Africans, perished in this disaster. In retaliation, at Mackenzie, five Indians were murdered and seven seriously injured.

A CoI could not identify what caused the explosion.

Since 2004, the PNC has commemorated the sinking of the Sun Chapman, and erected a memorial in 2016, but never once mentioned the Wismar Massacre.

Public Works Ministers Juan Edghill and Deodat Indar assisting a young resident of the island to cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the stelling

T

he Fort Island Stelling which was rehabilitated to the tune of $82 million, was on Tuesday commissioned

by Public Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill, who stated that the new facility will provide vast opportunities to the residents of the island.

“In delivering this stelling we’re delivering new hope, new opportunities and the possibilities for thriving economically buoyant Fort Island,” he said.

The Minister explained that the project derived from the Government’s philosophy that development must be equal and for every Guyanese to benefit.

“When we went ahead with this project it came out of philosophy that we operate by as a Government that every Guyanese is important and every community is important and development and progress must come to every community.”

He highlighted that when his Government came into office, the greatest problem relating to Fort Island was to get the stelling rehabilitated since the island is a hot spot for visitors and tourists.

The Minister further stated that plans are afoot to have transportation that will assist the elderly and others around the stelling and the island.

Meanwhile, the Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar said that previous APNU/ AFC Administration vetted out the much-needed repairs for the Fort Island Stelling that was falling apart at the time.

“In 2020 December while we were back into Government and we were preparing a budget and I said to them we will put something in the budget for this island, when we met and my colleagues sat down with Transport and Harbours, we said that we want Fort

Island (Stelling) rehabilitated,” Indar explained.

He noted that in the past, farmers had difficulties transporting their produce by boat due to the deplorable state of the stelling but noted that with the new facility comes new opportunity.

The contract was signed for the rehabilitation of the stelling on August 18, 2021, to the tune of $82 million and was awarded to IB contracting and Machinery services.

The project which was completed in March of this year saw a number of 85 piles being driven into the low and high ramp areas as

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

06:00 06:30 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 11:30 12:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 16:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 20:30 21:30 22:30 23:00 00:30

(Sign on) Inspirational Time Cartoons Evening News (RB) Stop Suffering MasterChef Junior House Hunter Renovation Paternity Court Divorce Court Movie - A Royal Runaway Romance (2022) Wheel of Fortune The Thundermans S3 E1 The Evermoor Chronicles S2 E3 Indian Soaps Richie Rich S1 E6 Inspector Gadget S1 E6 The Young & The Restless From the Pavilion The Evening News Stop Suffering JB & Salim The Bold Type S4 E16 Whose Line Is It Anyway? S12 E14 Flag Raising Sign off

6

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2022

Page

Foundation ◄

n

Orange splash

this fun and easy kitchen science experiment, we’re going to investigate gravity by making an orange splash.

the end of the cardboard tube so it is positioned over the mouth of the pitcher.

Quickly pull the pie pan away and

Materials: Pitcher Water Orange Aluminum pie pan Cardboard paper towel tube Instructions: Fill the pitcher halfway with water.

Place the pie pan over the mouth of the bottle.

Stand the cardboard tube on end on the pie pan.

Carefully balance the orange on

CONTINUED FROM TUESDAY

Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it.” – Marian Wright Edelman

Act 5. Scene I. Before PROSPERO'S cell.

Solemn music Re-enter ARIEL before: then ALONSO, with a frantic gesture, attended by GONZALO; SEBASTIAN and ANTONIO in like manner, attended by ADRIAN and FRANCISCO they all enter the circle which PROSPERO had made, and there stand charmed; which PROSPERO observing, speaks: A solemn air and the best comforter To an unsettled fancy cure thy brains, Now useless, boil'd within thy skull!

There stand, For you are spell-stopp'd.

Holy Gonzalo, honourable man, Mine eyes, even sociable to the show of thine, Fall fellowly drops. The charm dissolves apace, And as the morning steals upon the night, Melting the darkness, so their rising senses Begin to chase the ignorant fumes that mantle Their clearer reason. O good Gonzalo, My true preserver, and a loyal sir To him you follow'st! I will pay thy graces Home both in word and deed. Most cruelly Didst thou, Alonso, use me and my daughter: Thy brother was a furtherer in the act.

Thou art pinch'd fort now, Sebastian.

Flesh and blood, You, brother mine, that entertain'd ambition, Expell'd remorse and nature; who, with Sebastian, Whose inward pinches therefore are most strong, Would here have kill'd your king; I do forgive thee, Unnatural though thou art. Their

observe what happens.

How it works: Sir Isaac Newton’s his First Law of Motion states that since the orange as it sits atop the cardboard tube is not moving, then it simply will not move. As the pie pan is quickly pulled away, the lip of the pie pan knocks the cardboard tube out of the way. For a very brief moment, the orange does not move until gravity takes over. The orange then drops and does not want to stop until the pitcher of water gets in the orange’s way and stops its fall.

Make this a science project: Try an egg. Try an apple. Try setting the orange up higher on longer tubes. (sciencefun.org)

understanding Begins to swell, and the approaching tide Will shortly fill the reasonable shore That now lies foul and muddy. Not one of them That yet looks on me, or would know me Ariel, Fetch me the hat and rapier in my cell: I will discase me, and myself present As I was sometime Milan: quickly, spirit; Thou shalt ere long be free.

ARIEL sings and helps to attire him Where the bee sucks. there suck I: In a cowslip's bell I lie; There I couch when owls do cry.

On the bat's back I do fly After summer merrily.

Merrily, merrily shall I live now Under the blossom that hangs on the bough.

PROSPERO Why, that's my dainty Ariel! I shall miss thee: But yet thou shalt have freedom: so, so, so.

To the king's ship, invisible as thou art: There shalt thou find the mariners asleep Under the hatches; the master and the boatswain Being awake, enforce them to this place, And presently, I prithee.

ARIEL I drink the air before me, and return Or ere your pulse twice beat.

Exit GONZALO All torment, trouble, wonder and amazement Inhabits here: some heavenly power guide us Out of this fearful country!

PROSPERO Behold, sir king,

The wronged Duke of Milan, Prospero: For more assurance that a living prince Does now speak to thee, I embrace thy body; And to thee and thy company I bid A hearty welcome.

ALONSO Whether thou best he or no, Or some enchanted trifle to abuse me, As late I have been, I not know: thy pulse Beats as of flesh and blood; and, since I saw thee, The affliction of my mind amends, with which, I fear, a madness held me: this must crave, An if this be at all, a most strange story.

Thy dukedom I resign and do entreat Thou pardon me my wrongs. But how should Prospero Be living and be here?

PROSPERO First, noble friend, Let me embrace thine age, whose honour cannot Be measured or confined.

GONZALO Whether this be Or be not, I'll not swear.

PROSPERO You do yet taste Some subtilties o' the isle, that will not let you Believe things certain. Welcome, my friends all!

Aside to SEBASTIAN and ANTONIO But you, my brace of lords, were I so minded, I here could pluck his highness' frown upon you And justify you traitors: at this time I will tell no tales.

SEBASTIAN [Aside] The devil speaks in him.

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

7

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Non-tariff barriers, other matters raised as Pres Ali holds talks with CPSO – President’s advocacy during Agri-Investment Forum & Expo praised

P

resident Dr Irfaan Ali has met with representatives from the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Private Sector Organisation (CPSO), to discuss non-tariff barriers and other matters related to the advancement of Caricom.

The meeting was held on Tuesday at the Office of the President on Shiv Chanderpaul Drive. During the meeting, President Ali reaffirmed that Guyana was ready to work with all stakeholders and partners in the Region to ensure the prosperity of Caricom.

He also made it clear that “the prosperity of Guyana is the prosperity of this Region” and explained that the intention was for the Private Sector to be the driving force and to be bold and decisive in its decision-making.

Guyana’s President, Dr Irfaan Ali and Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh during the discussion with officials from the CPSO

CPSO’s representatives included the Head of the Secretariat, Dr Patrick Antoine and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Musson Group, Paul Scott. In his remarks, Dr Antoine lauded President Ali for addressing the issue of non-tariff barriers with Caricom leaders during the recently-conclud-

ed Agri-Investment Forum and Expo in Guyana.

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh; Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond and Guyana’s Office for Investment (GO-Invest) CEO, Dr Peter Ramsaroop were also present at the meeting.

Earlier this year, there was widespread public outrage among Guyanese Private Sector stakeholders over comments made by top officials in a leaked email claiming that Guyana’s local content law, which makes provisions for Guyanese persons and Guyanese businesses to benefit from the oil

and gas sector at specified percentages, violates certain provisions of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.

The issue had also sparked calls for Guyana to consider exiting the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME), with Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) President Timothy Tucker pointing out that Guyana has always been short-changed within the regional bloc when it comes to trade.

The Guyana Government’s position has been that while the country is open to foreign investors, especially those within Caricom States, including Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), they must partner with Guyanese businesses and individuals.

Following the recently-concluded Agri-

Investment Forum and Expo held in Guyana from May 19 to May 21, T&T Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley had made it clear that there was no need for Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana to “get at each other’s throats” on the issue of local content and misrepresenting intentions.

He noted that they must approach the matter from a positive perspective. According to him, his Government has not taken any “aggressive” position on Guyana’s local content law when it comes to challenging it.

“You have to go in thinking positively, that you have what it takes to pass. And we believe that the Treaty of Chaguaramas is sufficiently robust to deal with any of these matters,” Dr Rowley had further explained.

new Demerara River bridge – a process that followed the EPA Act and also its authorisation process.

In addition to reduced travel time, the project will see greater economic activity, greater accessibility for new housing opportunities, expansion of the manufacturing sectors – which will be able to operate freely on the West Side and not be limited to the Georgetown and EBD areas, unhindered marine traffic, and swifter movement of cargo, and the expansion of the Demerara waterfront, since marine traffic will no longer be encumbered in any way whatsoever.

Floating at 1.25 miles, the current Demerara Harbour

Bridge (DHB) is a strategic link between the East and West Banks of Demerara, facilitating the daily movement of thousands of vehicles, people, and cargo.

The former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration was originally going to build another retractable, three-lane bridge, but after immense criticism, had switched to a fixed, fourlane model.

However, the awarding of the $146 million contract to have a feasibility study done for the project was marred in controversy, with Auditor General Deodat Sharma pointing to major breaches of Guyana’s financial laws.

Govt to sign contract today to construct new DHB

T

he contract for the construction of a new Demerara River Bridge will be signed today at its Providence location, according to the Public Works Ministry.

Back in November, Cabinet granted its no-objection for China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd to construct the bridge at a proposed cost of US$256.6 million. The contract was awarded based on a Design-Build-Finance (DBF) model with financial terms and conditions which would be no less favourable than those submitted in the preferred bidder’s price proposals.

The new bridge will offer easy connectivity to both the existing East Bank Demerara (EBD) road as well as the new Diamondto-Ogle bypass road on the eastern side of the river and to the existing West Bank

An artist’s impression of the new DHB

Demerara road and the new Parika-to-Schoonord road on the western side of the river.

The new bridge will also offer critical connectivity to the new Wales Development Authority, which will be a major centre of productive activity when it comes onstream. This new bridge across the Demerara River will be a high-fixed span one with a 50-metre flyover

at minimum or “as high as, or higher than, the Marriott Hotel” to allow for marine vessels to pass without any interruption to vehicular traffic.

As such, the bridge would land aback Nandy Park on the EBD and at La Grange, West Bank Demerara, from where an alternative highway would be constructed all the way to Parika, East

Bank Essequibo.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had waived the requirements for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the

8 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Taxi driver acquitted of school teacher Kescia Branche's murder

M

atthew Munroe, the taxi driver who has been accused of the brutal murder of 22-yearold secondary school teacher Kescia Branche in 2017, has pleaded not guilty to the charge before Demerara

High Court Judge Justice Sandil Kissoon.

The 52-year-old accused, a resident of Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD), is being represented by attorneys Dexter Todd, Dexter Smartt,

Jevon Cox and Shercola Exeter, while the State is being represented by attorneys Abigail Gibb, Taneisha Sagon and Mohammed Ali. The State is expected to produce 35 witnesses during the trial. However, during

the first day of trial, the prosecution told the court there was no direct evidence linking the man to the crime and the prosecution’s main witness could not be located.

TURN TO PAGE 22

Gotta know...

W

…when to fold it hen your Eyewitness heard about the latest travails of sugar at GuySuCo’s Uitvlugt factory, it set him thinking. The factory’s been closed for months, and the workers reduced to performing some “mek-up-wuk” to put some roti on their tables. He was reminded of FDR having one set of the unemployed dig holes and another set filling them in a bit later during their Great Depression. Both sets were given a stipend, and felt good that they weren’t given handouts - they WORKED for their money!! That’s a lesson the PPP’s obviously learnt the need for working stiffs to salvage their pride!!

But what gave your Eyewitness the greatest pause was the announcement that the factory was down because a gear in the grinding mill had been manufactured and supplied FIFTY YEARS AGO - and the manufacturer had long gone out of business!! Now, businesses go completely out of business when their business is no longer needed!! So, the lesson gleaned was either the folks have gone out of the sugar business, or else moved to a new, more efficient technology to replace the old one.

And this brings us back to Uitvlugt sugar factory. Will the new gear to grind cane solve that location’s problems - which made it the highest cost producer for a century??

Even before the abolition of slavery, Gladstone had brought in the latest technology in vacuum pan crystallisation. But then realised he still needed cheap labour - which was indentured labour from India!! That made the estates remain viable till 1976, when they were nationalised. Not a bad strategic decision.

Well, we need someone to answer the question above on Uitvlugt - especially when we’ve just launched that fantastic “25 by 25” to bring food security to the region!!

Maybe the Government should replicate Granger’s PNC’s $2.6 billion Rural Agricultural Infrastructural Development (RAID) programme.

Give the people at Uitvlugt some of the land that has been abandoned and - just as was done for Buxton, Ithaca, BV and Mocha - take care of the infrastructure, marketing, seedlings for a few needed “food security” crops, etc. And BINGO!!

These sugar workers already are used to getting their feed muddy and working in the sun all day long. Can you imagine the incentive when they know they’re working for themselves??! So yes, VP Jagdeo showed a lotta heart when he visited those Uitvlugt workers. Certainly more than Granger and his PNC did in 2015-2020. Now all he has to do is follow through your Eyewitness’s suggestion!!

With at least 1000 workers pooling their $200,000/ each, they’ll now have a nice $200,000,000 seed money (pun NOT intended!).

In the meantime, has anyone figured how must sucrose (and revenue) will be lost in this crop’s old cane being “held over”?? …when BS is shovelled As a parting suggestion, TT’s PM Keith Rowley suggested that their oil refinery - Petrotrin - is available for Guyana to refine our oil. Sounded reasonable, doesn’t it? Afer all, they’ve run out of oil to refine, and all they now have is a pile of rusting metal!! But even though the plant was shut down in 2018, the only offer (of US$700 million) has come from the Oil Union (whose members had received a US$400 million payout!). Rowley, however, has refused them twice, cause they can’t come up with the money up front!!

But apart from the mothballed facility rusting, there’s a more fundamental problem that Guyana would face if it takes Rowley’s bait. This’s because every refinery’s built and configured to process a certain type of input, and doesn’t operate well using the wrong input. Heavy crude oil refineries include cracking and coking units designed to break long-chain hydrocarbons into smaller hydrocarbons.

We produce very light sweet crude!! Nice try Keith!! …what’s succeeding Your Eyewitness was very excited to hear we were bringing cage fighting to Guyana. You know, that no-holdsbarred, brutal-beating -of-each-other-to-pulp? Then he read again, and it was “cage fishing”!

How’s that coming along?

The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

9 2000 Region 2 residents get part-time jobs NEWS

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

A section of the crowd at Suddie Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo listening to some of the residents on Tuesday

V

ice President Bharrat Jagdeo, during a follow-up visit to Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) on Tuesday, officially launched the Government’s part-time jobs initiative, which will see 2000 persons along the Essequibo Coast benefitting.

Addressing the beneficiaries during the contract signing exercise at the Rice Producers Association (RPA), the Vice President called on them to use the opportunity as a launch pad for greater job opportunities.

Back in March during an outreach to the region, the Vice President had committed to providing 800 jobs, however this number has increased due to the overwhelming number of applications received from residents.

The successful applicants signed their one-year contractual agreements on Tuesday and will begin working from June 1 to May,

2023.

The employment drive caters for one person per household to be employed, with the long-term intention to hire as many persons as possible.

“We expect you to work regardless of where you’re placed because people are placed in different facilities… It’s a community spirit we want to build also because many of you will be working for the Government in ensuring that you see improvement in services in your community,” Jagdeo pointed out.

C o u n t r y w i d e , Government will be creating 8000 part-time jobs for citizens. The Vice President had previously said persons could earn up to $40,000 monthly by working three times per week through these part-time positions.

It was also previously explained that this initiative is part of a strategic approach to provide long-term support to citizens amid rising cost of

living, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other external factors.

Jagdeo had also pointed out that this venture is not easy for the current Government, since the previous Administration left no workable plans or finances to offset the nation’s development agenda.

Furthermore, it was disclosed that more than 30,000 jobs were lost during the previous APNU/AFC Administration’s tenure.

Region Six was the hardest hit, following the closure of several Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) estates and termination of over 7000 workers by the APNU/AFC. Meanwhile, 25-yearold Kavita Lall said she is very grateful that the Government has launched such a programme.

“I am very thankful because I was unemployed and it’s a year now since I didn’t get back a job. This will as-

sist me in providing for myself and my family. It don’t

matter that it’s [part-time], once I’m working and earn-

ing, that’s perfect for me,” Lall said.

Fire at CID Headquarters was electrical – GFS

A

n official of the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) has confirmed that the fire which started at the Criminal Investigations Department Headquarters on Monday last was of electrical origin.

The officials, however, did not divulge any additional information.

The Fire Service had launched an investigation into the cause of the fire which started at around 10:00h.

Ranks of the Fire Service were called to the scene after they were informed that smoke was seen emanating from the ceiling of the Crime Laboratory Department attached to the CID. However, what could

The fire at the CID headquarters

have been a major catastrophe following the detection of the smoke emanating from the building was averted due to the basic firefighting training of Police officers who were on duty.

Five fire tenders re-

sponded to the fire: two from the Central Fire Station, one from Alberttown Fire Station, one from Campbellville Fire Station, and one from West Ruimveldt Fire Station.

10 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Residents must play their part to avoid flooding – PM Phillips …Regions 2 & 5 most impacted

T

he Prime Minister of Guyana, retired Brigadier Mark Phillips, is asking residents of flood-impacted areas, and by extension Guyana, to ensure they dispose of their garbage in the proper manner.

He said drains and canals continue to be clogged with garbage and unnecessary items, and this exacerbates the problems during the rainy season.

The senior Government official, who leads the National Taskforce on Flooding, made these comments while meeting with

taskforce members virtually on Monday evening.

The Taskforce is working through the Civil Defence Commission (CDC); the Ministry of Agriculture, via the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and the Hydrometeorological Service; the Ministry of Housing and Water; and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

At the meeting, the Prime Minister stressed that operations have been ongoing since the first reports of heavy rainfall over the last two days. He indicated that while pumps are

being installed and excavators are cleaning waterways, all residents must do their part to ensure they are prepared for the impacts of flooding.

“Persons must also be considerate when disposing of their garbage, which, if done improperly, can aid the flooding of several communities,” Phillips emphasised.

On Monday evening, members of the taskforce, including Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha and Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal, also gave their assessment of the works currently being exe-

Prime Minister Mark Phillips

of

Guyana,

cuted to remedy the situation.

Minister Mustapha stated that Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Region Two (Pomeroon Supenaam) are the areas along the coastland that are most significantly impacted.

He explained that about 70 per cent of the water from Huntley to Abary in Region Five has receded, due to consistent drainage and cleaning operations.

Excavators and pumps have been deployed throughout the impacted communities, and the Minister said he is comfortable with the

progress. In Region Two, the dredging of a few rivers, including the Pomeroon River, is high on the agenda so as to alleviate future inundations. Resources have been mobilised in that region so that relief works can begin as soon as possible.

Minister Croal noted that works are also ongoing in Region Nine, and that potable water is accessible once again to affected households. He said that although the water level is still rising, the team on the ground has been working around the clock to ensure that people get the needed help.

At the moment there are three shelters in place in case persons need to be relocated. In addition, distribution of food items will take place through the involvement of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC).

Rainfall over the last few days has been excessive.

Chief Meteorological Officer Dr Garvin Cummings, in his report, indicated that Region Five had the most rainfall (five inches) from Sunday into Monday.

He said that although the rainfall is expected to be less, residents should continue to remain cautious.

Precipitation was above normal in some areas, which greatly exceeded drainage capacity and surface runoff, which has been made worse due to ground saturation, particularly in low-lying and riverine areas.

“The Taskforce, via the relevant agencies and Ministries, will monitor the developing situation continuously, and provide updates as they are available,” the statement added.

On Monday, it was reported that several villages in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) were also under water as a result of the recent heavy downpours that resulted in nearby rivers in Brazil overtopping into the Takutu River.

Persons are encouraged to remain vigilant and cautious during this rainy season, and to report any impacts to local authorities or the National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS) on 600-7500 or 226-1114.

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

NEWS

11

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt warns int’l companies against using loopholes to skirt local content commitment

– says yearly assessments of companies will be done; defaulters will face the law

Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat

N

atural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat has issued a warning to those foreign companies who have not been fulfilling their local content commitments, whether through late payments or even using loopholes to not hire Guyanese.

During a consultation with suppliers on Tuesday, Bharrat recounted the various ways foreign companies try to skirt the law. Some of them, he said, use manpower agencies to hire staff.

This is often used to cut corners and avoid reporting on local content.

A local company is defined in the Local Content Policy as one that is at least 50 per cent Guyanese owned, with 75 per cent of the managerial staff and 90 per cent of the total staff also being Guyanese. By using manpower agencies, however, they have been trying to get around this.

“What we’ve been seeing recently, is companies going through manpower agencies. Now we don’t have a problem with that, but if you’re going through manpower agencies, you must report to the

Local Content Secretariat that these are your staff.

You cannot say they aren’t your staff, they come from a manpower agency.”

“What we are seeing now, is that they’re employing Guyanese on their register so that they will report to us that they have 75 per cent managerial staff. But it is not a true reflection of their full staff complement.

The others are coming from the manpower agency and they’re not reporting them to us, because technically they’re not employed by the company,” Bharrat explained.

Others delay payments for services by months, which can impact local companies negatively since they rely on the payments to reinvest. The Minister noted that if this practice continues, the local players in the oil sector will be ruined.

“Payments and the time it take to pay local companies. We gotta be straight up with each other. There aren’t many Guyanese companies that can wait six months or one year for payments. There may be a few Guyanese companies that can wait three to four months for payments,” Minister Bharrat said.

The Minister noted that yet other companies bundle their contracts, rather than disaggregate them so that small and medium scale enterprises could bid.

Bharrat warned that they will be checking companies at the end of every year to ascertain whether they’ve reached the local content targets set out by law. The Minister reminded that there are penalties con-

tained in the local content legislation for not reaching those targets.

“I don’t want to sound too harsh, but if you read the legislation properly, you would see there are some penalties in it. And we will not hesitate to implement penalties if companies are not in compliance with the legislation. In fact, I don’t even have the power to waive those penalties. So it will be you and the law.”

“But we have a chance now to address it and correct that. We want to work with you to ensure that we stop this practice. I know some companies are working towards it and some are still involved in it. So, I ask that you work with the Local Content Secretariat and iron out these issues,” Bharrat further explained.

According to Minister Bharrat, local suppliers have been coming to the secretariat to complain against some foreign companies about the issues raised.

The Local Content Act lays out 40 different services that oil and gas companies and their subcontractors must procure from Guyanese companies by the end of 2022. For instance, these companies must procure from Guyanese companies 90 per cent of office space rental and accommodation services; 90 per cent janitorial services, laundry and catering services; 95 per cent pest control services; 100 per cent local insurance services; 75 per cent local supply of food; and 90 per cent local accounting services.

These are just a few of the services highlight-

ed in the first schedule of the Local Content Act. The Local Content Act mandates penalties for oil and

gas companies and their sub-contractors who fail to meet the minimum targets of the legislation, as well as

those who are in breach of the Act. These fines range from as low as $5 million to as high as $50 million.

12 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25,, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Region 9 flooding

20 families relocated to shelters, several others evacuated to higher ground

One of the pumps being installed in Region Five A view of the flooding in Region Nine which has left limited access to Central Lethem (Xstream graphics photo)

A

number of residents in Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) continue to be severely affected by flooding as a result of the continuous rainfall in recent days coupled with the nearby rivers in Brazil overtopping into the Takutu river.

This has ultimately caused the river banks to overflow.

Contacted for an update on the floods on Tuesday, communications officer of the Civil Defence Commission Patrice Wishart stated that the region is still facing heavy rainfall.

“The Hydrometeorological Service forecasts more rain this evening into the morning hours.”

“A total of 63 persons are housed in two separate shelters. One set at the Tabatinga Sports Complex and the other set at CDC’s Regional Disaster Risk Management Centre,” he said.

Wishart stated that over 20 families have been relocated into the shelters while others have turned to family members and close relatives for the time being.

The impacted areas, he stated, continue to be Lethem and some of the other communities located in South Rupununi. Some heavily impacted areas were on Monday revealed by the region’s Chairman, Bryan Allicock, which included St Ignatius, Tabatinga and Bashaidrun.

Up to late Tuesday, vehicles coming from the airstrip, all villages from South Rupununi, Moco Moco Village, and St Ignatius have difficulties accessing Lethem.

In addition, any vehicle coming from Georgetown will be greeted by the submerged Tabatinga Bridge.

Wishart explained that the CDC was at the time unable to verify if the floodwaters have increased in these areas.

“We are unable to verify at this time since we are awaiting regional reports.

However, to our knowledge water has not increased,” he said.

TURN TO PAGE 21

NEWS

13

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Residents of Kwakwani battling 2nd wave of flooding in 2 months – some already prepared to relocate to higher grounds

R

esidents of Kwakwani, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) are battling another flood in the space of two months, due to the overtopping of the Berbice River as a result of the recent downpours.

On Tuesday, floodwaters had already risen three feet in some areas at Lamp Island, and some residents have begun making efforts to relocate to higher grounds.

Meanwhile, the majority are monitoring the water levels closely on a daily basis.

Regional Vice Chairman of the Kwakwani Neighbourhood Democratic

The water level continues to rise on Lamp Island

Council (KNDC), Cort Simeon, told Guyana Times the KNDC is prepared to assist residents if they make the request to be evacuated, but, at the same time, he added that, having an immediate shelter may be challenging, since the schools which were previously used are back to normal teaching.

“We are not sure about shelters. The last time (2021) we used schools, but schools are now back in place,” he said.

Most importantly, the Vice Chairman noted, the KNDC is working closely with the Regional Democratic Council (RDC)

and the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) to provide much-needed support, and to seek out alternatives to be used as shelters.

Kwakwani recorded its worst flood back in 2021, when 80 per cent of the residents of flood-prone areas had to be evacuated and placed in shelters, or with families who were on high lands.

Water levels were as high as between 12 and 15 feet in some areas, and many homes were submerged. High lands or lands that had never been impacted by floodwaters over the years were heavily flooded.

Since then, water levels are

yet to recede to their normal heights.

Life after the worst flood

While many people have returned home to rebuild their lives, there are a few who chose not to. “Since last year we move out from home, only our electrical appliances at home,” Dennese Mathews told this publication, adding that floodwaters had caused her home to be practically inundated.

Matthews, her husband

and her three children, of Lamp Island, have since been residing at the ‘Old Fuel Bay’ (uphill at the entrance of Lamp Island), where she believes they are much safer in a small makeshift house. They operate a confectionery and grocery business as a means of providing for their daily needs.

The woman, who is accustomed to ploughing the farm, has said her family are yet to return to their farmlands, as doing so is

impossible with limited “dry weather” subsequently of 2021 floodwaters receding to date after losing tons of produce.

In addition, 32-year-old Sunita Fredricks, a mother of eight who also resides at Lamp Island, has said she has been preparing for this year’s flooding by cleaning a spot she has located on high grounds to relocate, but it has been somewhat challenging for her, as finance is her major setback.

Fredricks said although the water did not recede completely, she has been planting in discarded containers in an effort to sustain her family, but sadly, her flourishing crops are now underwater.

She and her family were the first to be accommodated at the shelter at the Kwakwani Primary School last year, as her home was submerged.

Meanwhile, with flooding being reported in several other areas in Region 10, including Rockstone, the CDC is urging persons to take all necessary precautions as the May/June heavy rainfall is expected to continue over the coming weeks.

14

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25,, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

15

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

16

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

17

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

18

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

19

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

20 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

6-month-old baby dies from COVID A

Gunman kills 18 children, 3 adults in Texas elementary school, officials say

– 45 new cases recorded

T

he Health Ministry on Tuesday reported that a six-month-old baby boy from Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) died from COVID-19 on May 21, 2022. This has now taken the death toll to 1232.

Accompanying the increased death toll were 45 new cases, thus taking the positives to 64,342. This accounts for 29,597 males and 34,745 females after 621,985 tests were conducted.

New statistics provided by the Ministry showed that four persons are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 22 in institutional isolation, 515 in home isolation and four in institutional quarantine. Meanwhile, 62,569 persons have recovered.

A breakdown of the new cases showed that three were from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 13 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); three in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); 11 in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); one in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and four in Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice).

In Guyana, most recent vaccination figures indicate that over 441,000 first doses and 340,500 second doses were distributed to adults. This is approximately 86 per cent and 66.4 per cent, respectively. For children aged 12 to 17, more than 25,000 or 34.7 per cent are completely vaccinated. Booster coverage has surpassed 63,000. These numbers have been stagnant within the past weeks, as authorities urge Guyanese to get boosted.

The response to the COVID-19 pandemic was a principal focus of interventions by the highest health authorities of the Region of the Americas at the 75th World

Health Assembly, which runs until May 29 in Geneva, Switzerland, under the theme Health for Peace, Peace for Health.

Brazil’s Minister of Health, Marcelo Queiroga, highlighted the actions taken by his Government since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to “save lives, preserve them, reconcile economic balance with social justice.”

For Queiroga, strengthening national health systems is the fundamental pillar to face future health emergencies. “Brazil has one of the best systems of universal access to health in the world,” he said, adding that during the pandemic his country invested “more than $110 million dollars to triple surveillance capacity and expand primary and specialised healthcare.”

Meanwhile, Minister of Public Health of Cuba, José Angel Portal Miranda, said that the control of COVID-19 in his country has been possible “because it has a social justice system that puts the human being at the centre of its policies, an organised society with popular participation, along with the existence of science and health systems at the service of the nation.”

Minister of Public Health and Social Welfare of Paraguay, Julio Borda noted that “the demands and needs were the greatest in the history of public health, with difficulties in equitable and timely access to COVID-19 vaccines, as well as to necessary supplies and medicines.”

Global figures show that almost 523.6 million people have tested positive for the virus and 6.2 million have died. In the Americas, more than 155 million confirmed cases have been reported with over 2.7 million deaths.

teenage gunman opened fire at an elementary school in South Texas on Tuesday, killing 18 children and three adults before the suspect was also killed, officials said, in the latest spasm of mass gun violence sweeping the United States.

Governor Greg Abbott said the suspect, identified as 18-year-old Salvador Ramos, was apparently killed by Police Officers responding to the scene, and that two officers were struck by gunfire, though their injuries were not serious.

Authorities said the suspect acted alone.

Abbott told a news conference hours after the shooting that 14 schoolchildren had been slain, along with one teacher.

But Texas State Senator Roland Gutierrez later told CNN, citing the Texas Rangers State Police as his source, that the death toll had climbed to 18 children and three adults.

The shooting unfolded just 10 days after 10 people were killed in Buffalo, New York, in a predominantly Black neighbourhood. An 18-year-old man whom authorities said opened fire with an assault-style rifle has been charged.

The motive for Tuesday’s massacre in Texas, the latest in a string of seemingly random mass shootings that have become commonplace in the United States, was not immediately known.

Official details remained sketchy about the circumstanc-

A woman reacts while talking on the phone outside the Sgt Willie de Leon Civic Center, where students had been transported from Robb Elementary School to be picked up after a shooting, in Uvalde, Texas, US, May 24, 2022

es of the late-morning shooting at Robb Elementary School in the town of Uvalde, Texas, about 80 miles west of San Antonio.

Abbott said the suspect was believed to have abandoned his vehicle and entered the school armed with a handgun, and possibly a rifle, before opening fire.

Investigators believe Ramos shot and killed his grandmother before going to the school, CBS News reported, citing unidentified law enforcement sources.

“It is being reported that the subject shot his grandmother right before he went into the school,” Abbott told reporters.

“I have no further information about the connection between those two shootings.”

University Hospital in San Antonio said on Twitter it had

received two patients from the shooting in Uvalde, a 66-yearold woman and a 10-year-old girl, both listed in critical condition.

US President Joe Biden, who ordered flags flown at half-staff until sunset daily until May 28 in observance of the tragedy, planned to address the nation about the shooting on Tuesday evening, the White House said.

The student body at the school consists of children in the second, third and fourth grades, according to Pete Arredondo, chief of the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District Police Department, who also addressed reporters. In American schools, those grades are typically made up of children ranging from 7 to 10 years of age.

(Reuters)

NEWS

21

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2022| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Beware of marijuana snacks in "copycats" of popular products – GA-FDD cautions consumers …resemble Chips Ahoy, Sour Patch Kids, Fruity Pebbles

T

he Government Analyst - Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) has sent out a strong warning to consumers of copycat packaging of edibles which contain hybrid cannabis (marijuana) and can easily be confused for popular snack foods.

This warning is being issued to all consumers, especially children, about the accidental ingestion of these

tetrahydrocannabinol or THC products.

“These ‘copycat-labelled’ cannabis products are a public health concern, given that people, including children, could mistake them for snacks and accidentally consume them. The edible products in question are specifically designed to look like popular branded foods using similar brand names, logos, and pack-

20 families relocated...

He further lamented that the CDC has so far been able to deliver relief supplies to the residents of the region while noting that this will continue.

“Residents of the impacted communities have received food and cleaning hampers, water purification tablets, water containers and other essential supplies.

Additional relief supplies are destined for Region Nine on Wednesday,” the communications officer added.

Meanwhile, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) executed a series of emergency works in the Mahaicony-Abary area,

in Region Five following instances of flooding due to continuous and heavy rainfall.

Giving an overview of some of the works undertaken in response to flooding in the affected areas, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha explained that a mobile pump was installed, several drainage canals were cleared along with the installation of tubes and the construction of embankments.

He added that Chairman of the NDIA, Lionel Wordsworth along with NDIA’s regional engineers were on the ground to assess the situation and oversee the

age designs,” the GA-FDD related in a statement.

The Department is aware that the copycat products are packaged to resemble Chips Ahoy, Sour Patch, Fruity Pebbles and Chocolate Fudge Brownies. Reports from both children and adults who eat these THC-infused edibles include experiencing adverse events like hallucinations, increased heart rate,

FROM PAGE 12

works. He further stated that a team from the NDIA and the region will be monitoring the situation in Region Five and other affected regions along the coast and other parts of the country on a 24hour basis.

Minister Mustapha also encouraged persons to remain alert as Guyana is currently experiencing above-normal rainfall as part of the ongoing May-June rainy period.

As of Monday, 70 per cent of the water from Huntley to Abary in Region Five had receded due to consistent drainage and cleaning operations.

The copycat products laced with illegal drugs that have caught the attention of authorities

and vomiting. Many individuals, especially children, may be hospitalised after consumption of these products.

Consumers are therefore urged to immediately seek medical attention at the nearest hospital or health centre should any of the products be accidentally consumed.

According to the statement, hybrid cannabis plants are made by crossbreeding two or more plants, such as sativa and indica plants, to make a hybrid. Hybrids are basically a combination of the positive characteristics of the different strains bred together.

They can be broken down into three categories: sativa-dominant hybrids, which provide physical and mental relief with a cerebral high and a relaxing body effect; indica-dominant hybrids, which

provide full-body relief with a relaxing and cerebral high; and even hybrids that provide an even head and body high.

“Sativa contains a higher percentage of THC, causing a more stimulating effect The GA-FDD is therefore urging consumers, especially schoolaged children, to read product labels before consuming, since cannabis (marijuana) products are marketed as enticing candies and sweets, many times copying popular designs of various brands.”

Consumers are encouraged to reach out to local authorities with any tips on these illegal products that mimic the popular brands, to prevent sale and distribution. For additional information, or to report the sale of these copycat-packaged products, kindly contact the GAFDD on 222-8859, 222-8934,

or 222-8857; or visit gafdd.gy to lodge a report.

Only recently, the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) warned the public, particularly parents and teachers, to be on the lookout for the popular kids’ snacks such as cookies and candies that are laced with marijuana.

Head of CANU, James Singh, on Sunday disclosed that that body discovered and seized packets of marijuana-infused cookies disguised as “Trips Ahoy” – a knock-off of Chips Ahoy.

The CANU has been clamping down on edibles being traded illegally on the local market. Last week, the CANU Head revealed the packages of other edibles that are being circulated in Guyana.

22 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GFS gets over $176M in new equipment to boost firefighting hicle) is intended to bring the Correia International Airport to category four for aerodrome firefighting… the appliance we have had there

had falling behind the standards…”, he said.

Meanwhile, the Fire Chief (ag) Gregory Wickham in expressing gratitude to

the Guyana Government, assured that the vehicles will be utilised with professionalism and true commitment to duty.

Taxi driver acquitted...

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn hands over the keys to Fire Chief Gregory Wickham

T

he Guyana Fire Service (GFS) on Tuesday received more than $176.6 million worth of new equipment to further strengthen its search and rescue operations in the various regions of Guyana. This will create an organisation fit for the 21st century, the Government believes.

The donation was made possible through Government spending and funds provided by UK company Angloco Ltd. The equipment which includes two ambulances, two water tankers and an airport rescue firefighting vehicle was handed over to the Fire Service by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The company also donat-

ed $28 million.

The ambulances will be deployed to Regions Three and Five, while the water tenders will be used within central Georgetown and along the East Bank corridor.

The airport rescue firefighting vehicle will be placed at the Eugene F Correia International Airport, Ogle, on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD).

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn hailed the donation as necessary.

He said for many years the Government was hoping for an upgrade in the GFS equipment to enhance its capabilities to bring better safety and security to the

populace. It was also announced that an advanced training exercise is currently ongoing which will also strengthen the Emergency Medical Services to better serve the public. “…With respect to persons who may need paramedical services from the emergency medical technicians, which is also a partnership between the Guyana Fire Service, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Ministry of Health. We have an arrangement with Vanderbilt university in the United States. They have been training our emergency medical technicians…”. “… this new large one here (the airport rescue ve-

Murder accused: Matthew Munroe

As such, Justice Kissoon instructed the jury to return a not guilty verdict.

Last year, the jury was empanelled for the case to be tried before Justice Kissoon, but because of time constraints, the jury was discharged and Munroe was further remanded to prison.

Branche, who had been a teacher at the Richard Ishmael Secondary School, had been found unconscious at the corner of Louisa Row and Princes Street, Georgetown, on November 5, 2017, and had died at the Georgetown Public Hospital on November 7, 2017.

Her cause of death has been

given as haemorrhage and blunt trauma to the head.

Munroe was arrested sometime after, and was charged with the offence of murder. And after a Preliminary Inquiry (PI) which ended on October 16, 2018, Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman had ruled that sufficient evidence was led by the prosecution against Munroe for him to stand trial in the High Court for the capital offence.

Munroe had allegedly departed Guyana for the United States of America at some time in November 2017, but after spending some time overseas, had returned to Guyana and presented himself to the Criminal Investigations Department Headquarters at Eve Leary, Georgetown.

The Police have said that, during interrogation, Munroe could not provide information on his whereabouts on the night that the school teacher was killed, as well as a reason for his car bumper being missing.

Branche had been a mother of one and resident of Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown.

According to reports, the young mother had left home for a night of partying. Her son was left in the care of a friend,

FROM PAGE 8

Murdered: Kescia Branche

who revealed that Branche had told her she had intended to go to a city nightclub to meet a male friend.

Branche had later returned home, but had subsequently left again. She had told her friend that she would be home by 02:00h, but had never returned. She had last been seen leaving a nightclub on Lamaha Street in the company of two Police ranks.

The father of Branche’s child was also arrested after the teacher’s mobile phone was found in his possession. He and four Policemen had been questioned about her death, but they were later released from custody.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

IPL 2022: Gujarat Titans vs Royal Challengers Bangalore

Having bowled three overs on the trot for 12, Rashid paved the way for R Sai Kishore to remove Samson, to further dent the Royals.

Rashid finished with an economy rate of 3.75, mostly because of his genius, but also because the opposition only had six specialist batters, and they couldn't afford to take too many risks.

The finish

From the end of the third over to the start of the 15th, Buttler failed to hit a single boundary.

And then they came in torrents. He hit left-arm seamer Yash Dayal for four fours in the 17th. The second of those, with Buttler on 43, would've been straight down Hardik's throat at long-off had he not slipped. Two balls later, he raised a fifty off 42 balls.

It wasn't until the 19th over that he hit his first six, and it was quite a hit, as he cleared his front leg and walloped Shami way over long-off. The last five overs went for 64, Buttler alone hitting 52.

Jos Butler scored 89 in vain

A

man who wasn't snapped up until the fag end of an exhaustive two-day auction was front and centre of Gujarat Titans' dream run into the IPL final, which will be played at their home ground in front of possibly 100,000 fans in Ahmedabad.

David Miller, enjoying his best IPL returns since 2013, channelled the spirit of Carlos Brathwaite by going 6, 6, 6 in a sensational finalover take down of Prasidh Krishna, as Titans made no fuss in polishing off the 16 runs they needed off the final over. Miller remained unbeaten on 68 off 38, and his partnership of 106 with Hardik Pandya, who made a subdued unbeaten 40, ensured Titans were always ahead of a chase of 189. They eventually got home with three balls to spare and with seven wickets in hand.

Titans rocked early

The Titans lost powerplay maverick Wriddhiman Saha for a duck when he nicked Trent Boult in the first over, but quickly recovered with Shubman Gill and Matthew Wade's calculated assault.

Gill triggered a surge when he took on R Ashwin in the last over of the powerplay. He began with a six over extra cover, before flicking him for two more boundaries, as Titans ended the first six on 64 for 1, their highest powerplay score of the season.

Gill looked peerless until his innings ended, courtesy of a mix-up with Wade as he tried to keep strike. Wade, who initially turned for a second, froze to leave Gill stranded. To make matters worse, Wade also fell two overs later, as Titans were 85 for 3 in the 10th over.

Buttler starts, Samson sustains

Jos Buttler laced three boundaries off Mohammed Shami early on to give Royals the push they needed to overcome the early loss of Yashasvi Jaiswal. Samson then came out and batted like a man possessed, standing upright and striking the ball on the up. Clearing his front leg and swinging through cleanly, he hit three fours and two sixes off his first 10 deliveries.

His first non-boundary run came in the seventh over. It told you of his intent to give his team the extra runs they may have needed to deal with the dew that was expected later in the evening. Samson raced to 30 off 13 as Royals made 55 for 1 in the first six overs.

The slowdown

UDFA Senior League…

BFA League 2022…

Hill, Panthers and Shattas in 2-2 stalemate

The victorious Wolves FC

W

hen play in the Upper Demerara Football Association’s Senior Football League championship continued last Sunday at the Mackenzie Sports Club, Botafago scored a solid 3-0 win over Blueberry Hill United, but Silver Shattas and Amelia’s Ward Panthers had to settle for a 2-2 draw.

The first game of the night began with Carlton Hinds netting as early as the 11th minute to give the Panthers a 1-0 advantage, but Quincy Oudkirk levelled things for the Shattas in the 31st minute, and Damian Williams then nudged Shattas into the lead in the 44th minute, to end the first period 2-1 in Shattas’ favour.

But while the scores seemed

to favour a win for the Shattas, Panthers gained a 92nd minute goal when Greavan Hodge found the back of the net, and the game ended 2-2.

The second game saw the Botafago lineup plunder goals in the first half of the game, with Ojani Whittington netting in the 8th minute, while Tevin Thomas netted in the 12th, and Antoine Gill in the 14th minute.

The first half ended 3-0 for Botafago, and the second half ended with the scores unchanged.

On Thursday two other matches are set for the MSC ground, with the first being between Kwakwani Strikers and Net Rockers and the other featuring Capital FC and Coomacka.

SCOREBOARD

RAJASTHAN ROYALS INNINGS (20 overs maximum) Yashasvi Jaiswal c †Saha b Yash Dayal 3 Jos Buttler run out (Joseph/†Saha) 89 Sanju Samson (c)† c Joseph b Sai Kishore 47 Devdutt Padikkal b Pandya 28 Shimron Hetmyer c Tewatia b Mohammed Shami 4 Riyan Parag run out (†Saha/Yash Dayal) 4 Ravichandran Ashwin not out 2 Trent Boult not out 0 Extras (nb 1, w 10) 11 TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 9.40) 188/6 Did not bat: Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna, Obed McCoy Fall of wickets: 1-11 (Yashasvi Jaiswal, 1.6 ov), 2-79 (Sanju Samson, 9.5 ov), 3-116 (Devdutt Padikkal, 14.1 ov), 4-161 (Shimron Hetmyer, 18.3 ov), 5-185 (Jos Buttler, 19.5 ov), 6-186 (Riyan Parag, 19.5 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Mohammed Shami 4-0-43-1 Yash Daya 4-0-46-1 Alzarri Joseph 2-0-27-0

T

he Saturday afternoon downpour that assailed the township of Bartica let up in time for the Bartica Senior Men's Football League to be put on display. Even though heavy rainfall had dominated the day, by 6:30pm, when the whistle sounded, the games got underway before a sizable crowd of incorrigible football fans.

In the first match, Darren Troyer's double was enough to earn his team, Wolves United FC, three points against Lazio FC. Troyer's strikes came on either side of the half, in the 10th and 79th minutes.

The other match - Potaro Strikers versus Rivers View - was touted as the "Clash of the Giants", and lived up to expectations, as a crowd of partisans was treated to ninety minutes of high-paced football action.

Potaro Strikers went ahead via a Daniel Gardener strike in the 53rd minute, and Andrew Simmons

Darren Troyer scored two goals for Wolves FC

answered for Rivers View in the 69th minute. Coming down to the wire, the frenzied crowd witnessed scintillating ball play with creativity being displayed by both sides and some unfortunate near misses at the goals. However, at the final whistle, the teams had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

Play in the league would continue on Friday with AK Galaxy coming out against Beacons, and Agatash United attempting to eclipse the Rising Stars.

Rashid Khan 4-0-15-0 Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore 4-0-43-1 Hardik Pandya 2-0-14-1 GUJARAT TITANS INNINGS (Target: 189 runs from 20 overs) Wriddhiman Saha †c †Samson b Boult 0 Shubman Gill run out (Padikkal /Hetmyer) 35 Matthew Wade c Buttler b McCoy 35 Hardik Pandya (c) not out 40 David Miller not out 68 Extras (lb 1, nb 1, w 11) 13 TOTAL 19.3 Ov (RR: 9.79) 191/3 Did not bat: Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Alzarri Joseph, Yash Dayal, Mohammed Shami Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Wriddhiman Saha, 0.2 ov), 2-72 (Shubman Gill, 7.4 ov), 3-85 (Matthew Wade, 9.3 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Trent Boult 4-0-38-1 Prasidh Krishna 3.3-0-40-0 Ravichandran Ashwin 4-0-40-0 Yuzvendra Chahal 4-0-32-0 Obed McCoy 4-0-40-1

GDA to host Independence Day Domino Competition tomorrow

$12,000, which should be paid to coordinator James Lewis at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Protocol Department.

For further details, interested persons are asked to call Lewis on 625-9007.

Miller and Hardik took calculated risks and peeled off risk-free runs, including a 14-run final over from Ashwin that consigned him to 4-0-400, his worst figures this season.

Titans needed 50 off the last five, but weren't allowed to break free, as Chahal and Obed McCoy kept things

defeat Lazio, Rivers Botafago humble Blueberry Wolves View and Potaro share spoils

Botafago goal scorers. From left, Antoine Gill, Ojani Whittington and Tevin Thomas

tight. McCoy was especially effective with his bag of slower deliveries, and Chahal varied his pace and lengths to bowl a tight 18th that left Titans needing 23 off 12.

Miller's ability to pick boundaries covered up for Hardik's struggles on what Samson described as a "sticky wicket". McCoy's tight 19th that went for just one four meant Royals had the cushion of 16 in the final over. But Miller had other ideas. He went 6,6,6 to give Titans a ticket to their dream finale. (Cricinfo)

Miller, Hardik see Titans home

Buttler slowed down, initially because Samson took on the aggressor's role. Then Rashid Khan, who had a favourable match-up against the Englishman - four dismissals, strike rate of 60 - had him all at David Miller and Hardik Pandya sea with his bag of ripping googlies and legbreaks. celebrating taking the Titans to the final

23

James Lewis

T

he Guyana Domino Association will, on Thursday May 26, 2022, be host a grand Independence Day Domino Competition at Mark & Shea hangout Bar, through Black and White Road at ‘D’ Field Sophia, from 10:00am.

The first prize will be $100,000 and a trophy on the spot. Cash and trophies obtain for second and third place finishers. Each team is asked to make a donation of

CLASSIFIED ADS HOUSE FOR SALE Fully concrete Top and Bottom, 24 x 42 - + 8 FT Extention, 4 12x12 Rooms, $30 Million neg. Contact: 692-7305 or +1 646 972 9267.

VACANCY R.A Soda Factory, Rossignol, West Coast Berbice. Tel.# 330-2399, 330-2852, 656-7456, 6922981. Male and Female Workers, Accountant, Bond Clerk, Machine Operator, Drivers.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2022

Sport is no longer our game, it’s our business

CARIFTA medallists shine in road race

C

ARIFTA medalists Attoya Harvey and Javon Roberts came out on top in their respective categories at the Ex-Athletes and Friends Independence 10K Road Race over the weekend. It is a testament to their development after the regional event.

Following their successful outings, both these teenagers credited their involvement at the games for their success.

Back in April, during the 49th edition of the CARIFTA Games, Attoya Harvey bagged three medals: 1 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze, while her teammate Javon Roberts clinched a silver medal.

Last Sunday, Harvey spoke to this daily publication about her victory in the Women’s 10K race, highlighting that it was a great feeling to win on her first try.

“I feel very great. I didn’t expect to come first for the females, but it was

very great,” the 16-year-old said.

She further stated, “It was a great experience. I was training, preparing for this.”

The athlete went on to detail her race, admitting that the rain was a bit of a bother.

Harvey shared, “At the start, about the first 5K, the race was very pacy.

Abidemi Charles was going, and then about 6K, I start moving away and going up.

“I would’ve done my best if it wasn’t for the rain, but I still tried.”

Nonetheless, with her exposure at CARIFTA, Harvey was pretty confident in her abilities.

“I didn’t really have a specific preparation, because I know I would have done my best,” she said.

Also crediting the regional track and field tournament for his performance was Roberts, who is just coming off of an injury. The 15-year-old championed the junior 5k race.

“Feels very good, I prepared for this for a very long time. after coming back from CARIFTA I had a bit of injury, I took a couple days off for rest, and now I’m back,” he said.

The teenager, however, hoped for more competition in the race, and expressed

Javon Roberts

Attoya Harvey

further hopes of entering the big leagues soon.

Roberts said, “It was not too hard; I wish I had more competition, so I could run a very fast time.

Unfortunately, I had no competition.

“I’m very much pre-

pared for the 10K, as you see. Hopefully, next year I can do the 10K and come up with a good time,” he went on to state.

Roberts clocked 19:42 in the 5K, while Harvey registered a time of 42:29.20 in the 10K race.

Gujarat Titans' players celebrating the win

GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, NEWS HOTLINE: 231-8063 EDITORIAL: 223-7230, 223-7231, 231-0544, 225-7761 SPORT: sport@guyanatimesgy.com SALES AND MARKETING: 231-8064 - marketing@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.